asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware that in other member States agricultural projects seeking FEOGA grants are not pinned to industrial development areas but are considered on their own merits; and, bearing in mind the advantages which this brings to agricultural processing industries and to producers of milk, whether he will take steps to alter the position in the United Kingdom.

Subject to meeting the basic requirements laid down by the EEC, member States are free to administer the FEOGA individual projects scheme in their own countries as they think fit. I am satisfied that the basis so far laid down in the United Kingdom for applications has not prejudiced the amount of aid distributed under this scheme to a wide spread of projects in the United Kingdom.